Thursday October 9th
Ashford in the Water to Monsal Head The walk began in Ashford in the Water where, at the packhorse bridge, there was the unwelcome sight of the sheepfold where the lambs were put at shearing time so that the ewes would swim to them from the other side of the river and thus wash their fleeces at the same time. It was a reflection of how valuable the wool was in the past and how important wool was to this area of the White Peak. Packhorse bridge, ducks, and the board through which sheep were herded... To swim to the lambs corralled in the fold opposite We continued alongside the river path and entered Little Shacklow Wood which led us to the rather fine Sheldon village. It dates from pre-Norman times with a simple row of houses on either side of the main street. In days gone by, it was a centre for lead mining and Ashford Black Marble, another reflection of activity which was once important to the area. We then left the village and and followed the signs for White Lodge and Deep Dale, wi...